In this March 29, 1967, file photo, heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, center left, and Dr. Martin Luther King speak to reporters. Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, has died according to a statement released by his family Friday, June 3, 2016. He was 74. (AP Photo/File)

In this Sept. 13, 2012, file photo, retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali, center, waves alongside his wife Lonnie Ali, left, and his sister-in-law Marilyn Williams, right, after receiving the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, has died according to a statement released by his family Friday, June 3, 2016. He was 74. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

In this May 25, 1965, file photo, heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali is held back by referee Joe Walcott, left, after Ali knocked out challenger Sonny Liston in the first round of their title fight in Lewiston, Maine. Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, has died according to a statement released by his family Friday, June 3, 2016. He was 74. (AP Photo/File)

In this Feb. 25, 1968, file photo, former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali speaks at a Black Muslim convention in Chicago. Seated behind Ali is Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam. Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, has died according to a statement released by his family Friday, June 3, 2016. He was 74. (AP Photo/file)

In this July 19, 1996, file photo, Muhammad Ali watches as the flame climbs up to the Olympic torch during the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics, in Atlanta. Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, has died according to a statement released by his family Friday, June 3, 2016. He was 74. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, File)

This is an Oct. 9, 1974, file photo showing Muhammad Ali. Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, has died according to a statement released by his family Friday, June 3, 2016. He was 74. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)(AP Photo/FIle)

This is a 1995 file photo showing Muhammad Ali smiling during a visit to New York. Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, has died according to a statement released by his family Friday, June 3, 2016. He was 74. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, FIle)

In this Sept. 17, 1974, file photo, Muhammad Ali is greeted in downtown Kinshasa, Zaire. Ali is in Zaire to fight George Foreman. Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, has died according to a statement released by his family Friday, June 3, 2016. He was 74. (AP Photo)

In this May 25, 1965 file photo, perspiration beads on the face of world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali during training for his fight with Sonny Liston, in Lewiston, Maine. Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, has died according to a statement released by his family Friday, June 3, 2016. He was 74. (AP Photo/File)

In this Feb. 22, 2012, file photo, former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali poses at St. Joseph's Hospital Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, has died according to a statement released by his family Friday, June 3, 2016. He was 74.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

In this Oct. 1, 1975, file photo, Muhammad Ali's throws a right at Joe Frazier in the 13th round in their title bout in Manila, Philippines. Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, has died according to a statement released by his family Friday, June 3, 2016. He was 74. (AP Photo/FILE)

In this Sept. 27, 2014, file photo, Muhammad Ali is shown before the Ali Humanitarian Awards ceremony in Louisville, Ky. A spokesman for boxing great Muhammad Ali says the former heavyweight champion is being treated in a hospital for a respiratory issue. Spokesman Bob Gunnell said Thursday, June 2, 2016, that Ali is being treated by doctors as a precaution. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)

This file photo taken on May 24, 2011 shows World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali arriving at a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, dies at 74. The former heavyweight world champion was hospitalized on Thursday at a Phoenix, Arizona, hospital with a respiratory issue, which US media reported was complicated by his Parkinson's disease.
/ AFP PHOTO / YURI GRIPASYURI GRIPAS/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on May 24, 2011 shows shows World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali at a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, dies at 74. The former heavyweight world champion was hospitalized on Thursday at a Phoenix, Arizona, hospital with a respiratory issue, which US media reported was complicated by his Parkinson's disease.
/ AFP PHOTO / YURI GRIPASYURI GRIPAS/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on December 16, 1994 shows Legendary US boxer Muhammad Ali is kissed by a young Ecuadoran girl at the Quito's Ruminahui Coliseum, Ecuador. Boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June 3, a family spokesman said in a statement. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," spokesman Bob Gunnell said.
/ AFP PHOTO / Fernando AraujoFERNANDO ARAUJO/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on November 10, 2006 shows US boxing legend Muhammad Ali (R) is greeted by actor Dustin Hoffman at Madison Square Garden in New York. Boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June 3, a family spokesman said in a statement. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," spokesman Bob Gunnell said.
/ AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARYTIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on January 14, 1999 shows Heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Ali (L) kissing the fist of Mexican-American lightweight champion Fernando Vargas during the Mike Tyson-Francois Botha weigh-in at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas.
Boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June 3, a family spokesman said in a statement. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," spokesman Bob Gunnell said. / AFP PHOTO / MIKE NELSONMIKE NELSON/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on January 15, 1998 shows Moroccan King Hassan II (R) decorating former World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali during a ceremony in the Royal Palace in Rabat.
Boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June 3, a family spokesman said in a statement. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," spokesman Bob Gunnell said. / AFP PHOTO / ABDELHAK SENNAABDELHAK SENNA/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on January 15, 1998 shows Former World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali participating in a religious ceremony for the holy month of Ramadan in the Royal Palace in Rabat.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, dies at 74. The former heavyweight world champion was hospitalized on Thursday at a Phoenix, Arizona, hospital with a respiratory issue, which US media reported was complicated by his Parkinson's disease.
/ AFP PHOTO / ABDELHAK SENNAABDELHAK SENNA/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on October 27, 1986 shows former heavyweight world boxing champion Muhammad Ali posing in Ellis Island before 80 Ellis Island medals of honor were awarded in tribute to the USA's ethnic heritages.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, dies at 74. The former heavyweight world champion was hospitalized on Thursday at a Phoenix, Arizona, hospital with a respiratory issue, which US media reported was complicated by his Parkinson's disease.
/ AFP PHOTO / MARIA BASTONEMARIA BASTONE/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on September 10, 1974 shows Former world heavyweight champion US Muhammad Ali posing in Paris, during a stopover on his way to Kinshasa, Zaire, before his world heavyweight championship fight against titleholder US George Foreman on October 30, 1974. Boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June 3, a family spokesman said in a statement. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," spokesman Bob Gunnell said. / AFP PHOTO / --/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on October 05, 1986 shows Former heavyweight world boxing champion Muhammad Ali speaking during a press conference at the Marriott hotel in Cairo, Egypt.
Boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June 3, a family spokesman said in a statement. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," spokesman Bob Gunnell said. / AFP PHOTO / MIKE NELSONMIKE NELSON/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on March 24, 2012 shows Director David Foster (R) bumping fists with boxing legend Muhammad Ali on stage at the Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XVIII in Phoenix, Arizona. The event supports the fight against Parkinson's disease and this year also celebrates Ali's 70th birthday. Heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Ali, an icon of the 20th Century whose fame transcended the sport during a remarkable career that spanned three decades, died June 3, 2016, his family said. / AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECKROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on March 24, 2012 shows Boxing legend Muhammad Ali adjusting his glasses on stage at Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XVIII in Phoenix, Arizona. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, dies at 74. The former heavyweight world champion was hospitalized on Thursday at a Phoenix, Arizona, hospital with a respiratory issue, which US media reported was complicated by his Parkinson's disease.
/ AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECKROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on January 01, 1965 U.S. boxing champion Cassius Clay alia Muhammad Ali in Paris. Boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June 3, a family spokesman said in a statement. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," spokesman Bob Gunnell said. / AFP PHOTO / PIGISTEPIGISTE/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on October 30, 1974 shows Former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (L) and titleholder US George Foreman (R) fighting on October 30, 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire during their world heavyweight championship match. Ali won by knocking out Foreman in the eighth round.
Heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Ali, an icon of the 20th Century whose fame transcended the sport during a remarkable career that spanned three decades, died June 3, 2016, his family said. / AFP PHOTO / --/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on October 27, 1974 shows US boxing heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay) standing with her mother Odessa Grady Clay during a training session three days before the heavy weight world championship in Kinshasa. Boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June 3, a family spokesman said in a statement. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," spokesman Bob Gunnell said. / AFP PHOTO / STRSTR/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on October 30, 1974 shows the fight opposing former world heavyweight boxing champion the American Muhammad Ali (R) and his compatriot and titleholder George Foreman (L) in Kinshasa. Ali won and got back his title.
Boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June 3, a family spokesman said in a statement. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," spokesman Bob Gunnell said. / AFP PHOTO / --/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on October 19, 1974 shows US boxing heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay) 11 days before the heavy weight world championship in Kinshasa. Boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June 3, a family spokesman said in a statement. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," spokesman Bob Gunnell said. / AFP PHOTO / STRINGERSTRINGER/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on October 21, 1996 shows Boxing great Muhammad Ali throws a punch towards photographers during a press conference in Jakarta.
Boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June 3, a family spokesman said in a statement. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," spokesman Bob Gunnell said. / AFP PHOTO / JOHN MACDOUGALLJOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on September 01, 1994 shows Boxing great Muhammad Ali receiving a punch from a 79 old "sparring-partner" during a visit in a old people's home in Macau.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, dies at 74. The former heavyweight world champion was hospitalized on Thursday at a Phoenix, Arizona, hospital with a respiratory issue, which US media reported was complicated by his Parkinson's disease.
/ AFP PHOTO / Mike FialaMIKE FIALA/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on April 25, 1995 shows Former world heavyweight Boxing champion Muhammad Ali smiling during a press conference in Tokyo.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, dies at 74. The former heavyweight world champion was hospitalized on Thursday at a Phoenix, Arizona, hospital with a respiratory issue, which US media reported was complicated by his Parkinson's disease.
/ AFP PHOTO / TORU YAMANAKATORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images

This file photo taken on May 24, 2011 shows World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali at a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington.
Boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June 3, a family spokesman said in a statement. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," spokesman Bob Gunnell said.
/ AFP PHOTO / YURI GRIPASYURI GRIPAS/AFP/Getty Images

Taken on May 24, 2011 shows Legendary heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali (C) is greeted after a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington.
Boxing icon Muhammad Ali died on Friday, June 3, a family spokesman said in a statement. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinsons disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," spokesman Bob Gunnell said. / AFP PHOTO / YURI GRIPASYURI GRIPAS/AFP/Getty Images

Tributes have poured in on social media.

Sports stars and celebrities, including Mike Tyson, Madonna and Justin Bieber, have paid tribute to Muhammad Ali following his death on Friday (03Jun16).

The 74-year-old boxing hero was admitted to a medical centre in Phoenix, Arizona, for respiratory complications earlier this week (beg30May16), and reports suggest he spent his final few hours on life support.

Family spokesman Bob Gunnell confirmed the sad news of Ali's passing in a statement released late on Friday.

"After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74," he wrote. "The Ali family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support and asks for privacy at this time."

Sports stars, actors and musicians flocked to social media to express their condolences after news of his death broke, with many posting photos paying tribute to one of the greatest sportsmen of all time.

Former boxing champion-turned-actor Mike Tyson shared a snap of the pair on Twitter, and captioned it, "God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP".

Undefeated fighter Floyd Mayweather, Jr. shared a photo of Ali on Instagram surrounded by money in front of a safe, and called the late sports icon a pioneer: "Today my heart goes out to a pioneer, a true legend, and a hero by all means! Not a day went by entering the gym that I didn't think of you. Your charisma, your charm and above all, your class are all of the elements that will be greatly missed by myself and the world.

"You are someone that inspired me greatly throughout my boxing journey and words cannot express how great you were as a person! Thank you for everything you've done for Black America, in the the world of sports & entertainment and for the legacy you leave behind! My sincerest condolences to the Ali family!"

Former boxing champion and Olympic gold-medalist George Foreman also wrote a touching message on Twitter, acknowledging two of his boxing peers who had sadly passed away: "Ali, (Joe) Frazier & Foreman we were 1 guy. A part of me slipped away, 'The greatest piece'."

Foreman fought Ali in the famous Rumble in The Jungle match that took place in Zaire - now the Democratic Republic of the Congo - in the summer of 1974. Ali won the fight, becoming the world heavyweight champion.

Meanwhile, Madonna, who only recently grieved the loss of her close friend Prince, shared a photo of herself with Ali on Instagram, with the caption, "What is going on??!! We are losing all of our National Treasures. Our Pillars of Humanity. He was the Greatest!"

"This is the ALI we should all remember!" boxing fan Justin Bieber insisted beside a snap of Ali joking about in front of the camera. "The fun loving man who was fully himself!! RIP CHAMP!!!"

Rap mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs, who has a tattoo of Ali's signature on his chest, took to Instagram to remember a meeting with his mentor and friend.

"This pic means so much to me!," he wrote. "The love he showed me he didn't have too (sic). He always was excited to see me. He even came to see me on Broadway in A Raisin In The Sun. He sat thru (sic) a 3 hr (sic) play to see me. It bugged me out. It humbled me. Thank you for the love. I MISS YOU. #RIPALI".

The rapper-turned-actor later shared a photo of his son Justin being hugged and kissed by Ali, writing, "Thank you for always showing me and my family love. He was so kind to everyone he met! I want my son @princejdc to always cherish this moment."

Star Wars actor John Boyega also marked Ali's loss on Twitter, commenting, "May our lives be an inspiration to the people around us as much as our words. The greatest. Rest easy champ", while Frozen star Josh Gad tweeted, "In a year where many greats have passed, the greatest of all has just left us. Goodbye champ. Fly like a butterfly."

Hip-hop veteran Chuck D, who narrated the Ali Rap documentary in 2006, was onstage at the Hollywood Palladium with his new rap/rock supergroup Prophets of Rage on Friday when the news of Ali's death hit headlines, and he called on fans to salute Ali by holding up their fists.

"We raise a fist and pray for Muhammad Ali," he told the crowd, who willing obliged.

Online tributes have also poured in from the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Russell Simmons, Kelly Rowland, Ciara, Lenny Kravitz, and Kate Hudson, among many others.

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